Eeffect of desflurane on SMAC release and capase-3 cleavage.

<p>Western blot analysis showing cytosolic SAMC (A) and total caspase-3 (B). Equal loading was confirmed by western blot with an anti-β-actin antibody. The cytosolic SMAC and total caspsase-3 concentrations were calculated by averaging the results obtained from five independent experiments. Data are presented as mean±SD. *<i>P</i><0.05 versus CON group, ^#<i>P</i><0.05 versus DES+A/R group.</p

Effect of desflurane on expression of Bcl-2, c-IAP1 and SOD activity.

<p>Western blot analysis showing concentration of Bcl-2 (A), c-IAP1 (B). Equal loading was confirmed by western blot with an anti-β-actin or anti-tubulin antibody. The Bcl-2 and c-IAP1protein concentrations were calculated by averaging the results obtained from five independent experiments. The SOD activity was measured by WST-1 assay (C). Data are presented as mean±SD. *<i>P</i><0.05 versus CON group, ^#<i>P</i><0.05 versus DES+A/R group.</p

Effect of desflurane preconditioning on HUVECs submitted to A/R.

<p>Cells were submitted to A/R with or without pretreated with desflurane for 30 min or 5 µM BAY11-7082 (BAY). The viability was measured by MTT assay (A). The apoptosis rate was measured by FACSan flow cytometry (B). Data are presented as mean±SD. n = 6/group. *<i>P</i><0.05 versus CON group,^#<i>P</i><0.05 versus DES+A/R group.</p

Desflurane preconditioning induced oscillation of NF-κB between nucleus and cytoplasm.

<p>Broken arrow refers to unconfirmed part of current study.</p

Experiment protocols.

<p>HUVECs submitted to the anoxia and reoxygenation (A/R) and pretreated with and without 1.0 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) desflurane or 5 µM BAY11-7082 (BAY). For cell viability, apoptosis, SOD activity assays, the cell samples were collected at the end of experiments. For western blot analysis, cell samples were collected at the end of reoxygenation (samples were collected at 45 min after baseline in CON group and 15 min after desflurane exposure in DES group).</p

HUVECs immunofluorescence stained with anti-factor VIII related antibody.

<p>Column 1 is the image of factor VIII (green) in cytoplasm, column 2 is the image of nuclei (blue) and column 3 is the merged image. Magnification ×40.</p

Effect of desflurane on NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation.

<p>Immunofluorescence assay showing NF-κB p65 subunit (green) translocated to nuclei (blue) after exposure to desflurane or A/R. Arrowheads signify some positive nuclei. Magnification ×200.</p

Additional file 1 of Convergence of two serotypes within the epidemic ST11 KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae creates the “Perfect Storm” in a teaching hospital

Additional file 1: Figure S1. Collection date of these ST11-Kp strains. Figure S2. Specimen type of these ST11-Kp strains. Table S1. Antimicrobial resistance profile of these ST11-Kp strains

Video1_Performance enhancement of the soft robotic segment for a trunk-like arm.mp4

Introduction: Trunk-like continuum robots have wide applications in manipulation and locomotion. In particular, trunk-like soft arms exhibit high dexterity and adaptability very similar to the creatures of the natural world. However, owing to the continuum and soft bodies, their performance in payload and spatial movements is limited.Methods: In this paper, we investigate the influence of key design parameters on robotic performance. It is verified that a larger workspace, lateral stiffness, payload, and bending moment could be achieved with adjustments to soft materials’ hardness, the height of module segments, and arrayed radius of actuators.Results: Especially, a 55% increase in arrayed radius would enhance the lateral stiffness by 25% and a bending moment by 55%. An 80% increase in segment height would enlarge 112% of the elongation range and 70 % of the bending range. Around 200% and 150% increments in the segment’s lateral stiffness and payload forces, respectively, could be obtained by tuning the hardness of soft materials. These relations enable the design customization of trunk-like soft arms, in which this tapering structure ensures stability via the stocky base for an impact reduction of 50% compared to that of the tip and ensures dexterity of the long tip for a relatively larger bending range of over 400% compared to that of the base.Discussion: The complete methodology of the design concept, analytical models, simulation, and experiments is developed to offer comprehensive guidelines for trunk-like soft robotic design and enable high performance in robotic manipulation.</p

Video2_Performance enhancement of the soft robotic segment for a trunk-like arm.mp4

Trunk-like continuum robots have wide applications in manipulation and locomotion. In particular, trunk-like soft arms exhibit high dexterity and adaptability very similar to the creatures of the natural world. However, owing to the continuum and soft bodies, their performance in payload and spatial movements is limited. In this paper, we investigate the influence of key design parameters on robotic performance. It is verified that a larger workspace, lateral stiffness, payload, and bending moment could be achieved with adjustments to soft materials’ hardness, the height of module segments, and arrayed radius of actuators. Especially, a 55% increase in arrayed radius would enhance the lateral stiffness by 25% and a bending moment by 55%. An 80% increase in segment height would enlarge 112% of the elongation range and 70 % of the bending range. Around 200% and 150% increments in the segment’s lateral stiffness and payload forces, respectively, could be obtained by tuning the hardness of soft materials. These relations enable the design customization of trunk-like soft arms, in which this tapering structure ensures stability via the stocky base for an impact reduction of 50% compared to that of the tip and ensures dexterity of the long tip for a relatively larger bending range of over 400% compared to that of the base. The complete methodology of the design concept, analytical models, simulation, and experiments is developed to offer comprehensive guidelines for trunk-like soft robotic design and enable high performance in robotic manipulation.</p